Work

The role of storage technologies and power balancing strategies in renewables-based island energy systems: A case of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of a 100% renewable energy transition pathway for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Using the EnergyPLAN model with the add on optimisation tool EP-ALISON-LUT, multiple scenarios for 2035 and 2050 are explored, covering power, heat, transport, and industry sectors. A comparative analysis is carried out, first, on the role of electricity-based hydrogen and diesel to provide the required power balancing and second, scenarios are explored comparing domestic production and importing of electricity-based liquid fuels required in hard-to-abate segments. The results demonstrate that solar photovoltaics, particularly single-axis tracking systems, emerge as the dominant electricity generation technology, supported by onshore wind power and battery storage. Scenarios integrating domestic e-fuel and hydrogen production achieve comparable system costs to import-dependent alternatives. The study shows that e‑hydrogen rather than imported e-diesel plays a pivotal role in system flexibility and sector coupling, enabling reduced curtailment and cost-effective balancing. By 2050, total system costs decline by over 17%, and levelised cost of final energy falls by 36% in optimal domestic renewable energy configurations compared to the reference year 2023. The findings highlight that a 100% renewable energy system for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not only technically viable but also economically advantageous, with local e‑hydrogen and e-fuel production and storage cost competitive to import of e-fuels.

Source: Journal of Energy Storage

DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2026.121807

Authors: Ashish Gulagi, Md. Salauddin Ahmed, Dominik Keiner, Christian Breyer

Institution: Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Integrated Energy Systems Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,560